His match-turning, and ultimately winning, partnership with Aaron Finch helped get Australia’s World Cup campaign off to a rollicking start, but George Bailey is almost certain to make way for Michael Clarke.
The stand-in captain made a scratchy 55 on Saturday against England in a telling 146-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and while there’s no arguing its undoubted importance, it certainly wasn’t the most convincing display of batsmanship.
Bailey’s case is that he also offers leadership, a proven quality that has seen Australia win all but one of their One-Day Internationals this summer, so why fix something if it isn’t broken?
Because of Michael Clarke.
Clarke is the country’s best tactician and no-one is questioning his quality as a batsman, however his back and hamstrings are unreliable and could potentially result in the team being down a player midway through a game.
Despite his physical concerns, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ for Clarke, it’s a matter of ‘who’, and unfortunately for Bailey his name is the only logical one.
Shane Watson continues to frustrate at first drop but it’s his bowling more than anything that’s keeping him in the side. Saturday’s team featured three front-line bowlers in Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Everything going to plan, that amounts to 30 overs, with a further 20 required to complete the allotment of 50.
Australia’s strategy is to get 20 overs from Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and Watson – meaning the latter’s place is safe. It’s too risky to ask Maxwell and Marsh, batsmen who are competent with ball in hand, to bowl 10 overs each.
Until Saturday Marsh had just six career wickets while Maxwell averages more than 39 and leaks runs at an economy of 5.47. On this basis Watson’s position is safe, at least until James Faulkner recovers from his side strain.
Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith are nigh untouchable, which leaves Bailey – Australia’s most prolific One-Day International batsman of the past two years. Funny game, cricket.
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